Visiting BJP Leaders Urge Govt To Resume Talks With TNA

September 19, 2014

Two leaders of India's ruling BJP met Sri Lankan Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris today and urged that political dialogue be resumed between the island nation's government and Tamil National Alliance leaders.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) general secretary Muralidhar Rao, and Global Convenor BJP Overseas Affairs Vijay Jolly, met Peiris for half an hour at the Foreign Ministry in Colombo, reports say.

They appreciated the efforts of the Sri Lanka government "to effectively combat terrorism and establishing peace in this SAARC Island nation", said a press statement from Jolly's office.

Rao and Jolly also said that the issue of the pending 13th Amendment on devolution of powers as promised by Sri Lanka government earlier also needs immediate redressal. "This is of paramount importance for lasting peace in Sri Lanka," the two BJP leaders conveyed Peiris.

They also stressed on "safeguarding of the interests of Indian fishermen including release of their trawlers and evolving maritime mechanism between India and Sri Lanka.”

Furthermore, they discussed about promotion of Buddha and Ram Ayodhya religious circuit for increased tourism and strengthening of cultural and historical bonds between the citizens of two nations, the statement from Jolly’s office said.